Introduction

The decision to work with consultants can be a costly, yet necessary,
decision. Almost every ERP project uses outside help during the implementation.
This chapter is designed to help you understand issues involved in selecting and
contracting with consultants. There are important parallel chapters that should
be read in conjunction with this chapter.

Appendix A, "Employment Market," offers a significant discussion
regarding the different types of skill sets that are required of consultants. It
is vital that a hiring company understand the different types of consulting
skill sets that might be required on a project because one size does not fit
all. The skill sets of functional consultants are quite different from those of
technical consultants. Consulting project management skills are a totally
different discipline. Moreover, functional and technical consultants might have
applied their skills only to particular disciplines. A hiring company must
recognize that a functional Oracle Payroll consultant has entirely different
skills from a functional Oracle Accounts Payable consultant. Before researching
consulting firms, read Appendix A to establish an understanding of the different
types of consulting skill sets.

Appendix B, "Consulting Market," provides a detailed summary of the
different types of consulting organizations available in the Oracle market. This
analysis reviews independent consultants; smaller, more specialized consulting
companies; larger, diversified consulting companies; and Oracle Corporation
consulting. Although Appendix B includes a perspective of advantages and
disadvantages to the consultant, be sure to study the advantages and
disadvantages to the hiring firm.